September 29 is a very important holiday for coffee lovers everywhere: it’s National Coffee Day! Alternatively, it is also National Starbucks Day! Take this as your sign to grab a silly little treat, whether you read this on National Coffee Day or not.
As college students, caffeine may be a crucial part of the process for late-night studying, especially for those with poor time management skills, such as myself. Even after students graduate from higher education, it is often heard that a day at work would not be productive without a morning coffee. If you have ever walked through the mug section of any store, you most likely have seen the tagline, “Don’t Talk to Me Until I’ve Had My Coffee!” smacked right in the middle of a mug. However, unlike the average sleep-deprived student at a public university, attending an Adventist University comes with following Adventist ideals. If you are catching my drift, I am alluding to the fact that caffeine is not sold on campus. For those without readily accessible transportation, it is difficult to acquire caffeine regularly. However, should we even be making those efforts to consume caffeine? What is the agenda against caffeine?
From an Adventist perspective, caffeine’s banishment originates from Ellen G. White’s health message. In the book “Counsels on Diet and Food” under the section Tea and Coffee, a list of quotes throughout the years is listed for an easy read of why one should not consume caffeine. To list out the points of the chapter, the bolded sections go as follows: “The Stimulating Effects of Tea and Coffee,” “Create Nervous Excitement, Not Strength,” “No Food Value,” “Spiritual Perception Blunted,” “Cravings Interfere With Spiritual Worship,” “The Stupefied Transgressor Not Guiltless,” “A Losing Battle With Appetite,” “The Conflict Between Truth and Self-Indulgence,” “The Roots of Intemperance,” and “A Suggestion of Satan.” Due to the limited modes of caffeine production, Adventists assume E.G.W.’s stance on coffee applies to all caffeine drinks. A compelling quote that summarizes her stance is, “The habit of drinking tea and coffee is a greater evil than is often suspected. Many who have accustomed themselves to the use of stimulating drinks, suffer from headache and nervous prostration, and lose much time on account of sickness. They imagine they cannot live without the stimulus, and are ignorant of its effect upon health. What makes it the more dangerous is, that its evil effects are so often attributed to other causes” (CD 422.2). The author insists on referring to coffee as “evil” and akin to “sin.” Her assessment of the physical and bodily aftereffects of coffee may have been accurate and helpful for an individual living in a time when health science had not yet advanced to our current understanding of how food impacts the body’s well-being. However, titling the consumption of caffeine as “condemnation-worthy” can be argued to be a bit silly. Oftentimes, when an Adventist eats or drinks a substance considered unclean, such as pork or alcohol, it is treated as if you spat in Daniel’s face and pushed him into the lion’s den. Can you compare two “unclean” substances, like alcohol and caffeine to the same degree? Given current research and technology, what do scientists say about caffeine?
With a quick Google search, I found what a study conducted by Harvard says about the health benefits and risks of coffee, or caffeine in general. According to the article, lower doses of caffeine, specifically 50-300 mg, show the benefits the average person is hoping for: “increased alertness, energy, and ability to concentrate.” Other benefits may include a 20% lower risk of stroke for women with regular consumption of coffee. Additionally, under the depression section of the article, “naturally occurring polyphenols” in coffee “can act as antioxidants to recuse damaging oxidative stress and inflammation of cells” as well as have been associated with “a lower risk of depression and suicide.” However, there are risks to high-dosage coffee! Negative effects include anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, and increased heart rate. If you have taken a basic science class that discussed drugs, you will know then that caffeine is a stimulant. Especially sensitive individuals will experience an irritated stomach, increased anxiety or jittery feeling, disrupted sleep or insomnia, and even heart palpitations.
Given the spiritual and scientific take on coffee, I then thought to ask a current student of Andrews University what their thoughts on the matter were. As a senior at Andrews University, they have experience with the routine of higher education, as well as have made investments in their hobby of creating and enjoying coffee:
“As a student juggling a hefty 16-credit course load along with three jobs. . . coffee has become an essential part of my daily routine, providing the much-needed fuel to power through my busy schedule. Without that caffeine boost, I wouldn't be able to accomplish my goals and meet the demands of my academic and work commitments. It keeps me focused and energized, helping me tackle each day's challenges with determination and vigor. I get the Adventist thing, but honestly [the coffee debate] really isn't that deep in my opinion. Both my parents work for the church and growing up it was never a big deal to them. My mom is an avid coffee drinker herself. I think times have changed and coffee is more of an ally than an enemy. I know I wouldn't get anything done without it. It's somewhat frustrating that our campus doesn't offer coffee like most colleges do; I believe it's essential for students. To bridge that gap, I took matters into my own hands and invested in an espresso machine, grinder, cold brew maker, and various coffee subscriptions and tools, ensuring I can have high-quality coffee in the comfort of my dorm room. However, not having a convenient coffee spot on campus remains an inconvenience. Caffeine has been my ally, and while I've adapted, it'd be great if the campus recognized its importance for students like me.”
Karla Torres (senior, graphic design and Spanish)
Regardless of the positive or negative effects of caffeine, due to the high-stress society we currently live in, coffee seems to have become a staple. Whatever your habits may be, whether you rely on caffeine or rarely take a sip, know your own limits, and Happy Coffee Day!
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.